Angophora House

Built for the architect’s parents, the house is fully accessible and designed for “ageing in place”. Of conservative background, the design of their final house is the embodiment of a leap of faith. The house acts as a container for possessions accumulated over their lifetime. The architect had the advantage of knowing intimately how his parents lived, their habits and routines. There is a place for a whisky bottle, a kitchen nook where busy schedules can be organized, a deck where dusk can be savoured. The house is both sanctuary and gallery. The Artek breakfast table and chairs are the same treasured design as purchased in the 1960’s. The Tasmanian Blackwood table designed by the architect complements an existing Richard Vaughan sideboard and responds specifically to the space it occupies.

The unique relationship between architect and client resulted in a carefully curated space which intimately caters to the way in which an individual inhabits their home. Angophora Costata are eucalypts endemic to the south east coast of Australia. The design slips beneath the canopies of these beautiful trees, with their smooth pink bark and twisted limbs. “Angophora” derives from Greek words “angos” meaning “vessel” and “phero” meaning “to bear or carry”, in reference to the fruit. A house is also a vessel, one which contains the lives of its inhabitants. The nature of that vessel contributes to how the inhabitants experience their day to day existence, and how they are placed in the world. In this case the inhabitants are the parents of the architect and the vessel is crafted to accommodate their particular way of being. The design strategically and carefully responds to the site, encouraging interaction.

The design carefully and strategically responds to the site, encouraging interaction. The primary constraint of the project was the steepness of the elevated site. The cliff face is revealed and exposed through the new building. Separated from the streetscape by topography, site boundaries and orientation, the design response is a bold sculptural gesture that is primarily site driven. The deliberate contrast preserves the integrity of the surrounding built fabric. The existing sandstone escarpment is integrated into the structural form of the building, which is secured with rock anchors. A sheltering timber lined roof opens to the north, falls in response to the slope of the land and captures framed views of adjacent Angophora trees. The unexpected escarpment is retained, raw and open to the rooms of the lower ground floor. A dramatic lift takes the owners to the garage on the street below.

The dwelling provides an example of a high quality infill development and embraces the following principles:
• It responds authentically to its context and time
• It is unique rather than generic
• It expounds a particular character within the streetscape
• It avoids fake responses to heritage values
• It tells a story
• It respects the historical narrative of the site and precinct
• It respects the public space and works to enhance society
• It is the result of the cooperation of a team
• It is built for longevity and adaption over time.
• It is built sustainably with respect for nature

Inherent value is achieved through quality and longevity. Specific environmental attributes incorporated within the building are:
• Insulated double glazed sliding doors forming operable external walls with integrated magnetically operated internal louvre blinds to bedrooms
• Thermal stability using mass of rock escarpment
• Water harvesting and reticulation with a 10,000 litre tank
• Photovoltaic solar collection
• Six star instantaneous gas hot water system
• Solar passive design on a south facing site
• Maximisation of natural daylighting
• Provision of cross ventilation
• 100% LED lighting
• Efficient heating and cooling system
• Minimised requirement for artificial cooling achieved through solar passive design.
• Blended wool insulation used throughout construction
• Materials selected for longevity, durability and weathering properties.